Paul Logan Safchuck
1913-2003
Paul Safchuck, beloved President of the White Lung Association, died
May 21, 2003, of complications from asbestos related disease. Mr. Safchuck,
raised in a coal mining family, moved to Baltimore, MD. in the late '30's
and worked at Bethlehem Steel from 1937 to 1975. He married Deermeedina
Munshower in 1940 and they lived in Dundalk, MD until her death last year.
Mr. Safchuck was active in causes that supported children and sick workers
throughout his life. He received Certificates of Appreciation for this
volunteer work from the Maryland House of Delegates and in 1969 from the
Governor of Maryland. He was awarded Certificate of Achievement by the
Citizens Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste in 1986 for his successful
efforts to close Norris Landfill. In April of 2000, he received the Governor's
Annual Volunteer Service Award for work with on behalf of victims of asbestos
disease.
Mr. Safchuck joined the White Lung Association in 1982 and became the
president of the Dundalk chapter later that year. In 1983 he was elected
WLA national treasurer and in 1984 he was elected national president.
He held this post until his death. Under Mr. Safchuck's leadership, the
White Lung Association flourished and was active in providing education
necessary to pass state and federal legislation to control and eliminate
asbestos exposure.
Mr. Safchuck was tireless in his efforts to educate the general public
to the hazards of asbestos exposure. He was very active in protecting
children from asbestos exposure and in keeping asbestos victims from being
cheated of their compensation. He testified in Congress to support the
passage of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, which strictly
controlled and helped remove asbestos from school buildings.
Mr. Safchuck is survived by three children, Victor Safchuck, James Heatley
and Darleen Mathews, five grandchildren and one great grand child, in
addition to three brothers, Walther, Dan and Lloyd and two sisters, Florence
and Anna.
Mr. Safchuck's wish was that contributions to the White Lung Association
be made in the place of flowers. The White Lung Association address is
PO Box 1483, Baltimore, MD. 21203.
Paul Safchuck, fifth from right
WLA members protest trust payments from the Manville Trust (which now
are less than $200 for most cases), 1990
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